Dog House Ideas: 8 Insulated Designs and How to Choose
The best dog house ideas start with the dog, not the roof. Measure your dog's height at the shoulder, choose a sleeping room just big enough to stand up, turn around and lie down in, then pick a style. Below are 8 insulated dog house designs, from a small A-frame to an extra large cottage with a veranda, with the inside sizes and door sizes from each plan.
For a breed-by-breed size table, see our dog house size chart by breed.
How do you choose a dog house design?
- Measure your dog standing: height at the shoulder and nose-to-tail length.
- Pick a sleeping room your dog can stand up and turn around in. A room much bigger than that is harder for the dog's body heat to warm in winter.
- Check the door. In all of the plans below, the door is shorter than the dog's shoulder, so the dog ducks slightly to go in and the room keeps its heat.
- Decide on a porch or vestibule. A covered entry blocks wind from blowing straight into the sleeping room.
- Choose the roof and siding to match your house or yard.
Dog house ideas compared by size
Every design here is insulated, and every size comes from the plan.
| Design | Sleeping room (inside) | Door | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dogtrot breezeway | 30-1/2" x 30" x 28-3/4" high | 13-1/2" x 22" | medium dogs up to about 22" at the shoulder (25-60 lb) |
| Twin gable with vestibule | 36-1/2" x 32-1/2" x 26-3/4" high | 14-3/8" x 20-1/4" | medium dogs up to about 20" (20-50 lb) |
| Gambrel barn with cupola | 34-1/2" x 40" x 26-3/4" high | 14" x 23" | medium dogs up to about 20" (20-50 lb) |
| Cottage with porch | 36-1/2" x 32-1/2" x 28" high | 14" x 20-1/4" | medium dogs up to about 22" (25-60 lb) |
| Nordic A-frame | 45" x 32-1/2", 41-3/16" high at center | 14" x 21-1/4" | medium dogs up to about 22" (25-60 lb) |
| Black barnhouse | 38-1/2" x 44-1/2" x 35-3/4" high | 17-1/2" x 29-3/4" | large dogs up to about 27" (60-110 lb) |
| Farmhouse lodge with porch | 46-1/2" x 50-1/2" x 37-3/4" high | 20-1/2" x 29-1/4" | large dogs up to about 27" (60-110 lb), or two medium dogs |
| Seaside cottage with veranda | 76-1/2" x 34-1/2" x 37-3/4" high | 21-1/2" x 29-1/2" | giant or large dogs up to about 30", or two large dogs |
Dog house ideas for medium dogs
Most family dogs fall in the 25 to 60 lb range. These five plans are sized for them.
Nordic A-frame dog house
Our A-frame dog house plan uses a 60 degree black metal roof over cedar gables. The steep roof sheds snow and rain fast, and the inside floor is 45" x 32-1/2" with 41-3/16" of height at the center, for dogs up to about 22" at the shoulder.
Twin gable dog house with entry vestibule
The vestibule in the insulated dog house with vestibule plan works like an airlock: the dog steps into a small entry before turning into the 36-1/2" x 32-1/2" main room, so wind never blows straight onto the bed. White siding, black trim and two green metal gable roofs give it a modern farmhouse look.
Gambrel barn dog house with cupola
The barn dog house plan is a small red barn with a gambrel roof, silver ribbed metal roofing and a white cupola that rises to just over 6'. Inside, the room is 34-1/2" x 40", sized for dogs up to about 20" at the shoulder.
Cottage dog house with porch
Our cottage dog house with porch plan has a 10/12 gable roof, sage green siding, cedar porch posts and asphalt shingles, so it can match a house roof. The sleeping room is 36-1/2" x 32-1/2" x 28" high.
Dogtrot breezeway dog house
Based on the Southern dogtrot house, the dogtrot breezeway dog house plan puts a shaded open breezeway with 24" of clear height beside a 30-1/2" x 30" insulated room. The dog can rest in the breeze on hot days and sleep inside on cold nights.
Dog house ideas for large and giant dogs
Large breeds need more headroom inside and a taller door, and many owners of two dogs want one shared house.
Black barnhouse for large dogs
The large insulated dog house plan has a tall 45 degree gable, matte black siding and a black metal roof. A cedar portal shelters the entry, and the 38-1/2" x 44-1/2" room has 35-3/4" of headroom for dogs up to about 27" at the shoulder.
Farmhouse lodge with covered porch
Our large dog house with porch plan adds an exposed king-post truss and knee braces to a sage green lodge. The 46-1/2" x 50-1/2" room fits one large dog of about 60 to 110 lb or two medium dogs.
Seaside cottage with veranda (extra large)
For giant breeds or two large dogs, the extra large dog house with porch plan gives a 76-1/2" long room and a 77" covered veranda in front. It is the biggest design here, at about 7' 2" long overall.
Where should you put a dog house?
Placement matters as much as design. A well-built house in the wrong spot can still be too hot, too cold or too wet.
- Turn the door away from the prevailing winter wind, or toward a fence or wall that blocks it.
- Choose a spot with afternoon shade in summer, such as the north or east side of a building or under a tree.
- Set the house on level, well-drained ground, not in a low spot where rain collects.
- Keep it where your dog can see the back door or the family, since many dogs ignore a house placed out of sight.
Which dog house is best for winter and summer?
All eight designs are insulated, which helps in both seasons. For winter, a vestibule or a deep porch matters most, because it blocks wind at the door; see our guide on how to build an insulated dog house for winter. For hot climates, shade, a breezeway and roof vents do more; read how to keep a dog house cool in summer.
Browse all sizes in our dog house plans collection.
Images are illustrative renders of the plan design.
FAQ
How big should a dog house door be?
Big enough for the dog to walk in with a slight duck of the head, but no bigger. In our plans, medium dogs up to about 22" at the shoulder get doors about 14" wide and 20" to 23" tall, and large dogs get doors around 17" to 21" wide and 29" to 30" tall.
Do dog houses keep dogs warm?
An insulated dog house with a raised floor and a sheltered door can, because a small room holds the dog's own body heat. A large, drafty house with an open door does much less.
Do dog houses keep dogs cool?
They help by giving shade, but only if air can move through. Look for vents high in the gables, a shaded porch or breezeway and a light-colored or well-ventilated roof, and place the house where it gets afternoon shade.
Should a dog house be raised off the ground?
Yes. A raised floor keeps the bed away from cold, wet ground and lets air flow underneath. Check the floor framing in any plan you choose, and add blocks or skids under it if your yard stays wet.
Can two dogs share one dog house?
Yes, if the room is sized for both. The farmhouse lodge plan is sized for two medium dogs, and the extra large seaside cottage is sized for two large dogs.
About the author: KRMPLANS designs DIY building plans for backyard structures, from chicken coops and sheds to greenhouses and cabins. Each plan is an instant-download PDF with step-by-step drawings, a shopping list and a cut list.
